Chopped Chicken Sesame Noodle Bowls

Or, like, five million moments over the course of January 2015. The only reason I was compelled to make this in the first place was because it was time to move on from the Vietnamese Chicken Salad with Rice Noodles after making it for every meal for the last 30 days, and this seemed like a logical next step to, um, more noodles.

But these chopped chicken sesame noodle bowls are more than just delicious, fork-twirling noodles. This recipe is all about the homemade sesame-peanut sauce that’s super easy and ready to go with just your regular pantry ingredients. Plus there’s a parade of colorful shredded veggies and a handful of sautéed-in-sesame-sauce shredded chicken for good measure.

You’ll toss all those pretties up in the pan (hot or cold! whatchu like?), throw a handful of cilantro and red pepper flakes and sesame seeds on top because it looks awesome and it IS awesome, and boom.

How to make our SESAME NOODLE BOWLS (1 min):

So Bjork and I have some good news to share.

About dogs. Totally fitting to share right now, yeah? I know. I’m just kinda good like that.

After coming to terms with the fact that we might never get a dog because of Bjork’s allergies to everything in the world, we found out a few days ago that Bjork, in fact, is not allergic to dogs. NOT ALLERGIC TO DOGS. N-O-T. And when I say we found out, what I really mean is that he got the official medieval-style doctor’s office test where they scratch you with little sticks and your skin turn all red and blotchy, so these results are legit. I’ll show you a pict– oh, right. Okay, that’s cool.

Post-allergy-test, our first order of business was launching on a shopping spree for dust-and-allergen-and-everything mattress and pillow protectors and other extremely protective allergy-related items that made me know for certain that I live in America. Like, wow. This is our normal life where we buy these things. Okay then.

But more importantly: after the results came in, we started up the conversation about finally getting a puppy. A real live ball-fetching, face-licking, fur-shedding, I-love-you puppy.

Maybe a pug, because we have laughed at every single video on YouTube that shows up under the “pug” search results which is basically the same thing as owning one.

Or maybe a golden retriever because I like the idea of myself as a golden retriever owner. Like, I’d eat granola every morning and then go for a long run with my golden retriever, and he probably wouldn’t even need a leash because he’d be so cute and awesome.

I can’t evennn right now.

But you’re not even going to believe this weird thing that happened in my brain once we found out that Bjork wasn’t allergic. It’s kind of like when you think you want something, and then you’re finally able to get it, and then you realize that maybe you don’t want it after all.

?!

WHO ARE WE.

We’re just so free right now, and we travel “for work” a lot, and we like being able to stay out late and not worry about getting home on time (for example, our wild late nights that involve driving over to Redbox for a movie and picking up a Papa Murphy’s pizza) – so all that to say, there is some question about whether or not the puppy is worth the loss of freedom.

I mean, wouldn’t it just make more sense to wait until we have kids when we’re already going to lose all freedom and THEN get a dog? PS. I hate myself right now.

And what about cleaning up dog hair? Cleaning – even just cleaning for people – isn’t one of our awesome-sauce skills. And now we’d have dog hair all over all my work clothes aka sweatpants. I just don’t know – those sweatpants are the ultimate. Priorities, you know?

Plus, is our house even big enough for a dog? It’s so teeny tiny. Are there small dogs that are really well behaved that have regular hair (NO HAIRLESS DOGS) that never-ever shed that are still actually, um, cute? WILL YOU TELL ME ALL OF THEM?

I don’t know, it’s like I just need to eat an XL chopped chicken sesame noodle bowl and get some clarity right now.

Sauce: In a food processor, combine all the ingredients for the sesame sauce except the sesame seeds and red pepper flakes. Pulse until mostly smooth; stir in sesame seeds and red pepper flakes.

Noodles: Cook soba noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Chicken: Heat a large skillet with a little oil over medium heat. Cut the chicken breasts in half if they are large. Add the chicken; sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Saute until barely golden brown on the outside. Add about a third of the sesame sauce to the chicken with a little water to thin it out. It might splatter, so turn down the heat at this point and have a lid ready. Let the chicken finish cooking in the sauce for a few minutes. Remove the chicken from heat, let cool slightly, and shred.

Veggies: Chop the veggies super-finely or put them in the food processor and get them all minced up. Drain out any excess moisture.

170 Comments (page 1)

GET A DOG! We got one the week after we got married. Which was the worst best idea ever.
But, they bring so much joy and cuteness and love. DO IT.
And, noodles? YES. This is like the chopped chicken salad gone noodles version that my dreams are made of. Pinned!

That sesame peanut sauce is mind blowing ~ now I know what I’m going get my husband for V-day. (last it was nothing so this is a big step up.) No doubt, he’ll put it on his cheerios. The man lives for peanut sauce.

I know you mentioned you like Pugs in the past. (Um, they make loud wheezing sounds] I have 2 Dachshunds so here is a short commercial for Dachshunds. They don’t shed. There is nothing like waking up to a warm, snuggly Dachshund on a cold, January morning. They have a big dog bark so they will scare intruders away.

Dogs are the best! Yes, they limit you a little (a lot sometimes okay yeah) but they LOVE YOU and it just makes it so worth it. It so does. And your noodles? They look fabulous and I want them now. Perfection!

Yes having a dog puts some limits. It doesnt have too! You plan ahead for your bundle of joy. You find that person that you can totally depend on and trust to take of that beautiful creature at a moments notice. The below statement is the real reason you need a dog:

~No one will ever know the full depth of unconditional love until they own a loving dog~
There is nothing in this world that can ever dare to compare unless it is that of Jesus Christ!

Not parents. siblings, spouses and yes, even children dont even come close. It is a totally different kind of true, loyal, unconditional everlasting love. Like no other. Good luck, whatever you decide, and remember, there is no rush to do eat. Trust yourself that you will know when the time if right.

Oh man, dogs are a lot of work. Especially puppies. High maintenance. I shouldn’t be talking, since I am a committed cat person. I do love dogs – but other’s people’s dogs. It’s like enjoying spending time with my friends’ kids. They’re adorable, but when I become exhausted, I can leave them with their parents and go back to my non-responsibility life. Sounds harsh, I know (on kids and dogs) but right now, I support the freedom that you have. You’re right, once you have kids, your freedom will be very different/non-existent. Why rush that by getting a puppy?

i love this dish. That shot with the sesame covered bowl of peanut sauce…gorgeous. But on to dogs! I LOVE Minature schnauzers. No shedding, hypoallergenic super smart and loyal. And they look like little old men with beards. So you can name him Chauncey or henry! I have two – Jeremiah and Hannah. Best dogs ever. 🙂

I love Papa Murphy’s, don’t want kids AT ALL, love my freedom to be lazy, and got a dog a couple years ago. Louie is the love of my life (then my husband) and he’s a cockapoo. Cocker spaniel-poodle mix, doesn’t shed and is so freaking cuuuute. We had a 1000 square foot house when we got him and he was fine for those 3 years! You should look at those and/or golden doodles or labradoodles. They don’t shed!

I hear you on the dog thing. I want one SO badly, but I also often think about how hard it would be to then have to consider them any time we want to travel or even just get a weekend away. I actually don’t think your idea to wait until you have kids to get one is that bad! Haha. Or maybe like once you get pregnant so you can ease into being tethered to your house?

Getting a dog is actually good prep for being a parent. Once you get a dog it isn’t “all about you” anymore. I recommend getting your nearest relative to fall in love with the dog so that when you do go out of town you can take it over there and all will be happy.

Oh you should definitely get a dog! First, it’s the natural step before/if you have kids. You need to make sure you can handle not killing your dog before you have children. 😉 Second, dogs are THE BEST. My husband and I have a boxer who is our “first born.” He is our daughter’s favorite toy and is such a good big brother! Plus, having someone excited to see you EVERY time they see you is pretty great. Oh you just took the garbage out and you’re back!!! Lick, Lick, Lick…

For sure get a dog!! My husband and I got one about 2 years ago, and I think it’s actually a really good idea to get a dog together before you bring babies into the picture. Sure a dog is really nothing like having a baby… but it sort of gets you ready for that added responsibility. And now we have a baby coming in April, so we’ll see just how much our little Chubbs has prepared us to be parents. 😉 And I’m bias, but I say get a pug. Because pugs are the best… says the lady who owns one. 🙂

As the proud dog mom to 2 puggles who found out several YEARS after getting them that I’m allergic to dogs (it explained so much!! haha), I still wouldn’t trade them for the world. BUT, puggles (and pugs) shed A LOT and that’s in part why we have puggle-colored furniture and entirely why we own a steam cleaner. Also, having family nearby to help out is key, because yes, they do take away some of your freedom to just do whatever. I happen to think puggles (and pugs) are the funniest, sweetest little things. Totally worth it to me. Get two!

Yay! At least you get to choose now whether or not you have a dog! I’ve read that there are certain bigger breeds (and obviously the little guys, too) that do fine in apartments or small houses if they get proper exercise… I totally understand why you are concerned about freedom, although I have lived with dogs for the past ten years, and I’m only 19, so I’ve never had that kind of freedom before. But before getting a dog, it’s wise to be honest to yourself about it, so good for you! Lol…your description the perfect dog made me laugh so hard! Of course, that dog is possible, but rare, and if you get a puppy… *wicked laugh* well, it’ll be awhile! I definitely think I would lean more toward the pug side… Since you are concerned about dog hair (which I totally understand!), you probably want a smaller, shorter haired dog. With a dog like a Golden, you will have lots of grooming, and lots of long hairs in corners and toe-kicks (sorry for the TMI). I have a lab, and we have a big house, and within a week, we have mini dust bunnies everywhere! (And, of course, the more hardwood, the worse it is!) But if you decide a dog is worth it, I would highly recommend “Paws to Consider” by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson. http://www.amazon.com/Paws-Consider-Choosing-Right-Family/dp/0446521515/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422463613&sr=8-1&keywords=paws+to+consider&pebp=1422463806784&peasin=446521515
It has an interesting collection of breeds, but that is because it is based off of their experience, not just the most well-known breeds, although most of those are in there. Even though it’s a little old, its one of the best dogs books I’ve read, and its easy to read. They have a fun sense of humor, too! =D
I hope this helps! Good luck!

Get a dog! YES! But, make sure you can do it when you won’t leave him/her for the first month or two. After that, get a local relative to fall in love so that they will watch it when you’re gone! (Although….not fun if still potty training). And don’t worry about the size of your house. As long as you take it on walks, they don’t get exercise inside anyway. We live in a 500 square foot apartment and our dog loves our home (granted, he’s a mini dachshund, but still!). Dogs are a fabulous step before kids…plus, you won’t have time to train a dog after having kids…so before is a way better idea.

If you DO get serious about getting a dog – check out Pet Project Rescue. They’re a local org based in Minneapolis that does a bajillion wonderful things related to animals, one of which is fostering lovely dogs and another is helping people who are confused about life decisions relating to dogs become un-confused! They can help prep you for the level of commitment you’re looking for, even if that means sticking with YouTube videos 🙂

As an owner of 2 dogs (one was a totally unplanned addition as a puppy) I would say, dogs have a way about adding so much to your life – even with the loss of freedom and the chewed door frame (yes, this did happen at our house), dogs can fill your heart with so much ooey gooey happiness! I have a friend who travels ALOT and she has a mini shnauzer – takes him everywhere with her as her dog fits in a case that can be taken on a plane.
Oh – by the way – totally digging the PB and fresh ginger combo in this bowl!

I’m a total dog advocate. Our yorkshire terrier is our baby & we are totally pet-thetic over her! Yorkie plug: they are hypoallergenic, don’t shed a bit & don’t need a ton of exercise. Our 1,000 sq ft home is more than enough space for her. I have seen some yippy ones but ours never has been. I must say that we do like to pick up & go a lot too and thankfully have family around that love & care for her like we do. Without them, it would most definitely be difficult to be tied down! Decisions, decisions!

At least there’s no deciding whether or not to make these noodle bowls! Winner, winner sesame chicken dinner =) PINNED!

This looks SO great. But I am SUPER excited and distracted about all this getting a puppy talk!!!! Check out all of your local shelters first, slightly older dogs are often trained and well behaved but might not get adopted simply because they’re not a puppy. Also puppy mills are no good 🙁 You could also see if any shelters in your area do fostering, that can be a great way to give the whole dog thing a test drive without REALLY committing (I mean you’re a little committed but whatever.) Also, Maltese’s are adorable little pooches and supposedly hypo-allergenic (I had 1 for 14 years and they really DON’T shed much!) Try googling hypo-allergenic dogs!

Mmm these noodle bowls look insanely good! Suddenly, my little sandwich doesn’t look so great anymore 😉
Petsitting is an awesome way to see how you like having a dog! I petsat for a bunch of friends and neighbors to see what it’d be like before I got a dog.
Obviously, dogs are a lot of work, but I think they’re so worth it. Nothing beats walking in the door and having a fluffy little dog overjoyed to see you!

We have a labradoodle (I guess they’re all kind of mutts, but ours definitely is – not the designer version) and she is the best, best, best. Great with our kids, very laid back. Minor shedding…there are dog hair tumbleweeds if I haven’t vacuumed in a few days, but it doesn’t get all over you if you pet her. Keeping her groomed short helps too! We got her when she was 3 months old and she was the last in her litter. I don’t know what the other pups were like but I think if we get another dog we would always pick the one who wasn’t the most aggressively friendly…we love our laid back girl!!

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